STI Testing in Nairobi: Costs, Which Test You Need and What to Expect
Worried after sex, starting a new relationship, or just want to be sure? Most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause no symptoms, so a test is the only way to know. Here is what each test checks, what it costs, when to test and what happens at your visit.
- Same-day doctor consultation
- Private and confidential
- Walk-ins welcome
The short answer
- Most STIs cause no symptoms. Testing is the only way to know.
- Test panels at CA Medlynks cost KES 5,000 to 30,000, depending on how many infections you check.
- Timing matters: chlamydia and gonorrhoea show up from 2 weeks after sex. Blood tests for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B catch most infections from 6 weeks, but a reliable "all clear" can take up to 3 months.
- A visit takes about 20 minutes, and most results are ready within 48 hours.
- Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomonas are curable. HIV, herpes and hepatitis B are well controlled with treatment.
Do you need an STI test?
A test is a good idea if any of these apply:
- A new partner, or more than one partner
- Sex without a condom, or a condom broke
- Discharge, burning when you pass urine, sores or itching
- A partner has symptoms or has tested positive
- You're planning a pregnancy or a new relationship
- It's been more than a year since your last test
No symptoms? You still need a test. Most people with chlamydia have no symptoms, yet untreated chlamydia and gonorrhoea can lead to pelvic infection and problems getting pregnant. HIV is also still common in Kenya: about 1.3 million people are living with it, and there were almost 20,000 new infections in 2024.
Have symptoms? Read our guides to STI symptoms in women and STI symptoms in men.
STI test prices at CA Medlynks (2026)
We test for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, Mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium) and similar infections with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which detects the germ's genetic material. It is more sensitive than rapid tests and finds infections even without symptoms. Kenya's 2026 national guidelines moved away from treating STIs on symptoms alone, which misses silent infections and adds to antibiotic resistance.
| Test | Bronze5,000 | Silver15,500 | Gold25,000 | Platinum30,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia PCR | –Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Gonorrhoea PCR | –Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| M. genitalium PCR | –Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Trichomonas PCR | –Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Herpes types 1 and 2, PCR | –Not included | –Not included | Included | Included |
| HIV blood test | Included | –Not included | –Not included | Included |
| Syphilis blood test | Included | –Not included | –Not included | Included |
| Hepatitis B blood test | Included | –Not included | –Not included | Included |
| Urine analysis | –Not included | –Not included | Included | Included |
| Results in | Same day | 48 h | 48 h | 48 h |
| With a doctor's consultation | 6,500 | 19,500 | 30,000 | 35,000 |
HIV is checked with a rapid test in Bronze and Platinum. Prices with a doctor's consultation include the doctor's fee and tablets prescribed at the visit, including all 28 days of PEP if you need it; injections cost extra. PrEP is charged separately.
- Platinum Express: KES 35,000The full Platinum panel, with results within 24 hours. KES 40,000 with a doctor's consultation.
- Couples Platinum: KES 22,500 eachBoth of you tested in the same visit: KES 45,000 for two, or KES 51,000 with a doctor's consultation.
- Home sample collection: + KES 2,500A nurse visits your home or office in Nairobi and nearby areas, on weekdays from 8am to 5pm.
- Single tests: from KES 750For example, HIV lab test KES 2,200, hepatitis B KES 3,000 and syphilis KES 750.
Pay after your test by M-Pesa, cash, Visa or Mastercard.
Have symptoms, a sore, or a partner who tested positive? See our doctor rather than only choosing a package. The doctor can see you the same day, examine you and choose the right tests. Symptoms can also come from conditions that aren't STIs, such as thrush, bacterial vaginosis or a urine infection. A syphilis blood test can be negative when a sore first appears, so the doctor may treat you straight away. Packages with a doctor's consultation cost KES 6,500 to 35,000, depending on the tests you need.
No symptoms? Which package suits you?
Bronze · KES 5,000
A quick blood check for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.
Uses a rapid HIV test, so a negative result is reliable 3 months after sex. Doesn't include chlamydia or gonorrhoea, the most common bacterial STIs.
Silver · KES 15,500
PCR for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, M. genitalium and trichomonas.
Want blood tests for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B as well? Choose Platinum, which also adds herpes PCR and urine analysis.
Gold · KES 25,000
Silver's PCR tests plus herpes and urine analysis, without blood tests.
For people who've had HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B tests elsewhere since their last risk, after the window period.
Platinum · KES 30,000
All eight infections on our list, in one visit.
A good choice when starting a new relationship.
Not sure? Message us on WhatsApp and our medical staff will help you choose.
Good to know
- Herpes: the test is most reliable when a swab is taken from a sore. Without a sore, a negative result can't fully rule herpes out.
- M. genitalium: guidelines don't recommend testing people without symptoms. If it's found, treatment is chosen carefully, as antibiotic resistance is common.
- Ureaplasma isn't included in our packages. It lives harmlessly in many healthy people, and guidelines advise against routine testing or treatment.
- Candida (thrush) is a yeast infection, not an STI.
- Oral or anal sex? A urine test can miss infections in the throat or rectum. A throat swab isn't part of the standard packages, but we can add one if you ask at your visit. Rectal swabs aren't available at our clinic, so if you've had receptive anal sex, get a rectal test at a clinic that offers one.
When to test after sex
Each test needs time before it can pick up an infection. Testing too early can give a false "all clear". If you're worried now, test now and repeat at the right time.
- PEP window (not a test)
- Most infections show. Retest later if negative
- Reliable result
PEP must start within 72 hours of sex. PCR tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea are reliable from 2 weeks. PCR tests for trichomonas and Mycoplasma genitalium show most infections from 2 weeks and are reliable at 4 weeks. An HIV lab blood test shows most infections from 6 weeks and is reliable then if it is an antigen/antibody test, or at 3 months if it is antibody-only; an HIV rapid test shows most infections from 6 weeks and is reliable at 3 months. Syphilis and hepatitis B blood tests show most infections from 6 weeks and are reliable at 12 weeks.
Show as a table
| Test | Most infections show | Reliable result |
|---|---|---|
| PEP (not a test) | Start within 72 hours of sex | |
| Chlamydia and gonorrhoea (PCR) | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Trichomonas and M. genitalium (PCR) | 2 weeks | 4 weeks |
| HIV: lab blood test | 6 weeks | 6 weeks (45 days) if antigen/antibody; 3 months if antibody-only |
| HIV: rapid test | 6 weeks | 3 months (90 days) |
| Syphilis | 6 weeks | 12 weeks |
| Hepatitis B | 6 weeks | 12 weeks |
| Herpes | When you have a sore | |
Bronze and Platinum use a rapid HIV test. Kenya's national guidelines advise an HIV retest 4 weeks after a recent exposure and, if negative, again at 3 months (NASCOP, 2022). Ask our team whether our lab HIV test (KES 2,200) suits an earlier check.
Herpes is different: test when you have a sore. For more detail, read how soon after sex you should get tested.
Three ways to get tested in Nairobi
Free HIV testing
At government health facilities and non-profit clinics.
Good for: HIV, often syphilis too.
Cost: usually free.
PCR for chlamydia and gonorrhoea is often not included. HIV self-test kits are sold in pharmacies; confirm a positive result at a clinic.
A private lab panel
Such as CA Medlynks.
Good for: checking several infections in one visit, including PCR for chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
Cost: KES 5,000 to 30,000.
Home sample collection
A nurse collects your samples at home or at the office.
Good for: privacy and busy schedules.
Cost: package price plus KES 2,500 (weekdays, 8am–5pm).
Whichever you choose, the most important thing is to get tested.
Your visit, step by step
Message or walk in
Book on WhatsApp or by phone, or just walk in (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–5pm).
A private chat
A nurse asks a few questions (5 to 10 minutes) to help you choose the right tests. Everything stays confidential.
Quick samples
Urine and/or a swab, and a small blood sample. The whole visit takes about 20 minutes.
Private results
By WhatsApp, email or in person, as you choose. If anything is positive, a doctor explains it in a private room, with your treatment options. A positive HIV result is always given in person.
Before you come
- Don't pass urine for at least 1 hour before a urine test.
- Keep taking any medicine your doctor prescribed.
- Taken antibiotics in the last 4 weeks? Tell us which ones and when, as they can affect your results. We'll tell you whether to test now or wait.
- No need to fast. Eat and drink normally.
- On your period? You can still be tested.
- Bring an identity card or passport for our records. Testing can't be anonymous, but your details stay confidential.
- Under 18? Please call or WhatsApp us on +254 741 669 175 before you visit.
Please don't self-treat. Antibiotics bought from a chemist without a test can hide an infection without curing it, and they help gonorrhoea become resistant to treatment.
Your privacy: results go only to you. Nothing is shared with your employer, family or partner without your written consent.
If a result is positive
Most of the infections we test for can be cured, and the rest can be well controlled. You won't be judged.
Curable with the right treatment
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- M. genitalium
- Syphilis
- Trichomonas
Well controlled with treatment
- HIV: daily treatment lets people live long, healthy lives. With an undetectable viral load, HIV is not passed on through sex.
- Herpes: medicine shortens outbreaks and lowers the chance of passing it on.
- Hepatitis B: most adults who catch it clear it within 6 months, but a positive test can also mean a long-term infection. Your doctor will check which, arrange liver checks and advise vaccinating your household.
A positive HIV or syphilis screening test is always confirmed with further tests, following Kenya's national guidelines. If HIV is confirmed, we'll connect you with an HIV care clinic to start treatment. Tell us if you've had syphilis before, because some syphilis tests stay positive for life after treatment.
After treatment for a curable STI
- Avoid sex for 7 days after single-dose treatment, or until you finish a longer course, your symptoms have gone and your partner(s) are treated.
- Tell recent partners so they can be tested and treated. With your consent, our team can help you do this.
- Test again after about 3 months, because reinfection is common.
- Your doctor will tell you if you need a check sooner. Otherwise, don't retest within 4 weeks of finishing treatment, because a PCR test can still pick up traces of germs the medicine has already killed.
At CA Medlynks, a doctor explains a positive result in a private room and can usually prescribe treatment the same day.
Staying protected
- Condoms lower the risk of most STIs.
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV-prevention medicine for people at ongoing risk, greatly lowers the risk of HIV when taken as prescribed. We offer it as a daily pill or a long-acting injection.
- Vaccines help protect against hepatitis B and the types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause most cervical cancers. Both are available at our clinic.
- Regular tests: once a year, or every 3 to 6 months if you often have new partners.
Starting PrEP: our doctor first checks that it's right for you, with an HIV test, counselling and blood tests for your liver and kidneys. The cost depends on the tests you need at this first visit. Injectable PrEP is still being rolled out in Kenya and supply is limited, so we order it in for you.
Get tested at CA Medlynks
- Daykio Plaza, Ground Floor, off Ngong Lane, Kilimani, Nairobi
- Mon–Fri 8am–8pm · Sat 8am–5pm
Closed Sundays and public holidays - +254 741 669 175 (call or WhatsApp)
- On-site parking
This article is for general information only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional about your individual circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an STI test cost in Nairobi?
At CA Medlynks, from KES 5,000 (a blood screen for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B) to KES 30,000 (Platinum, which checks all eight infections on our list in one visit). With a doctor's consultation included, Bronze to Platinum cost KES 6,500 to 35,000. Free HIV testing is also available at government health facilities.
How long do STI test results take?
Bronze results are ready the same day. Silver, Gold, Platinum and Couples Platinum take 48 hours, and Platinum Express 24 hours.
Can I get tested if I have no symptoms?
Yes, and it is worth doing. Most STIs cause no symptoms, and PCR tests can find them anyway. Herpes is best tested when you have a sore.
How soon after sex can I get tested?
From 2 weeks for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Blood tests catch most HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B infections from 6 weeks. A negative result is reliable at 3 months for a rapid HIV test, syphilis and hepatitis B, and Kenya's national guidelines advise an HIV retest 4 weeks after a recent exposure and, if negative, again at 3 months. A lab HIV test can be reliable from 6 weeks if it detects antigen as well as antibodies. If it has been less than 72 hours, ask about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) first.
Is STI testing confidential?
Yes. Results go only to you, by WhatsApp, email or in person, as you choose, and a doctor explains any positive result in private. Nothing is shared with your employer, family or partner without your written consent. We ask for an identity card or passport for our records, so testing can't be anonymous.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Walk-ins are welcome. Messaging us first on WhatsApp helps us have the right staff ready for you.
Can my partner and I test together?
Yes. Couples Platinum is KES 22,500 per person, and you are both tested in the same visit.
Can you collect my samples at home?
Yes. A nurse can visit your home or office in Nairobi and nearby areas on weekdays, 8am to 5pm, for an extra KES 2,500.
Medically reviewed by
Written for patients by the CA Medlynks team and reviewed by the doctor below, following Kenya's 2026 national guidelines for HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis, and guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Last reviewed 5 October 2026; we review it at least once a year.
Dr. Paul Yonga
Medical Director and Infectious Disease Specialist
MBChB, MSPH, FRCP (Edin)
Sources
- Ministry of Health, Kenya, National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP). Kenya Integrated Guidelines for Prevention, Treatment and Management of HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Viral Hepatitis, 2026.
- National Syndemic Diseases Control Council. Kenya AIDS Progress Report 2025.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Getting tested for HIV (window periods).
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Antiretroviral postexposure prophylaxis after sexual, injection drug use, or other nonoccupational exposure to HIV. MMWR Recommendations and Reports, 2025.
- World Health Organization. Emergency contraception: fact sheet.
- World Health Organization. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): fact sheet.
- Horner P, et al. Should we be testing for urogenital Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum in men and women? European STI Guidelines Editorial Board. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, 2018.
- Brighton Sexual Health (University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust). STI window periods: when to test.
- UN Women Africa. Kenya's national toll-free helpline 1195, 2024.